Vol. 40, No. 16, April 22, 1955. 8 pages. View this issue
A plagiarism suit against Gene Fowler brought Sadakichi Hartmann back into the news, and Larry Tajiri’s front-page column told the story of Hartmann’s career as an art critic, playwright, poet and Hollywood figure. The same page reported that Arthur Shiro Kubo, the son of a 442nd veteran, was appointed to West Point, and that President Eisenhower nominated Benjamin Tashiro for a federal judgeship in Hawaii. Henry Moritsugu wrote about Frank Tadao Shimada, a Nisei technician at Connaught Laboratories in Toronto who contributed to the polio vaccine work.
Other pages carry Bill Hosokawa on Junichiro Tanizaki’s novel in English translation, Mike Masaoka on the Supreme Court school segregation hearings, and Henry Mori on ten years since the return to the West Coast. Chapter news covers new presidents in Detroit, Gardena and Seattle, and a banquet planned in Alameda for 44 newly naturalized citizens.
What’s in this issue
In-Depth
- The Ghost of Sadakichi Hartmann, by Larry Tajiri, page 1. Sadakichi Hartmann’s ghost resurfaces through a plagiarism suit against Gene Fowler over his biography Minutes of the Last Meeting. The column recounts Hartmann’s remarkable career as an art critic, playwright, poet, and Hollywood figure.
Military & Veterans
- Del. Farrington Appoints Nisei to Military Academy, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Arthur Shiro Kubo, son of a Honolulu police detective and a 442nd veteran, was appointed to West Point by Delegate Farrington. He is the fifth Nisei appointed to the academy.
- Outstanding WW2 Issei War Hero Sworn In as Naturalized Citizen at D.C. Ceremony, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Rev. Andrew Yoshinobu Kuroda, a decorated OSS operative, was naturalized in Washington D.C. A number of Japanese war brides were naturalized at the same ceremony.
National
- Ben Tashiro Nominated by President to Be Hawaii Judge, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Deputy Attorney General Benjamin Tashiro was nominated by President Eisenhower for a judgeship on the Fifth Circuit in Hawaii. If confirmed, he would be the first Nisei appointed as a Federal judge.
- Canadian Lab Technician Aided in Success of Salk Polio Vaccine Mass Experiment, by Henry Moritsugu, page 1. Frank Tadao Shimada, a Nisei technician at Connaught Laboratories in Toronto, contributed to the polio vaccine research. The Connaught lab discovered the growth medium that enabled mass production of the Salk vaccine.
- I&NS to Investigate Granada Incident, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Immigration and Naturalization Service ordered an investigation into naturalization examination difficulties faced by Issei applicants in Granada, Colorado. The JACL was assured remedial steps would be taken if warranted.
- Washington Newsletter: School Segregation Cases, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on how to implement its Brown decision ending school segregation. The column recalls Japanese American school segregation history in California and argues the fight is shared.
Community
- Absentee Ballots Counted in Close L.A. Elections, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Los Angeles City Council canvass of absentee ballots left Councilman Charles Navarro apparently re-elected in the 10th District by a narrow margin. The article is brief and reports on the close outcome.
- Tokyo Topics: Cherry Tree Project, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. Japanese Boy Scouts are sending a thousand cherry trees to Baguio in the Philippines as a gesture of friendship. The column also reflects on Filipino-Japanese ties and the importance of Japan-Philippines cooperation.
- Honolulu Newsletter: Big Five Plantation Thinking, by Larry Nakaishi, page 3. The election of Masaji Marumoto to the Ewa Plantation Co. board signals a changing climate in Hawaii’s Big Five industries. The column argues Nisei should move beyond a chip-on-the-shoulder attitude.
- Alameda Chapter to Welcome Newly Naturalized Citizens, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Alameda JACL chapter will honor 44 newly naturalized citizens of Japanese ancestry at a banquet. Chapter officers and committee members for the event are named.
- Jewel Omura to Head Detroit JACL Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Jewel Omura was elected 1955 president of the Detroit JACL chapter, with a slate of officers assisting. The chapter also prepared an Easter party for children.
- Kuida President of Gardena Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Frank T. Kuida was named 1955 president of the Gardena Valley JACL. Other officers were also elected at the meeting.
- Japan Wants More U.S. Music Teachers, Noro Says, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Shinjiro Noro, music editor of the Asahi Press, said American music is helping Americanize Japan. He would like more samples of better music and more American music teachers.
- Bowling Awards Given to High and Low Scratch Keglers at San Mateo, by P.C. Staff, page 5. George Korenaga won the handicap tournament, while several bowlers took high and low scratch honors. Awards will be presented at the upcoming chapter meeting.
- Howard Sakura Named Seattle JACL Chapter Chief, by Budd Fukei, page 5. Howard ‘Chip’ Sakura, a former 442nd member, is the new Seattle JACL chapter president. The profile describes his community service and family.
- Los Angeles Newsletter: Ten Years of Resettlement, by Henry Mori, page 7. The columnist reflects on a decade since the wartime return to the West Coast, when WRA staff worked to counter hostility toward returning Japanese Americans. He notes that state employment practices have since improved and removed race designations from applications.
Commentary
- Japanese Literature Introduced, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Alfred A. Knopf is publishing Junichiro Tanizaki’s novel Some Prefer Nettles in English translation. Hosokawa discusses Tanizaki’s theory of shadows and traditional Japanese aesthetics.
- Rented House Damages in Excess of Normal Wear and Tear Allowed as Evacuation Claim, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Justice Department ruled that damages to a rented house beyond normal wear and tear are compensable as evacuation claims. The decision awarded $1,222.50 after reviewing the claimant’s repair and termite expenses.
- Editorials: Serious Game of Face-Saving, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial argues that Red China’s charges of sabotage after an Indian airliner crash were a face-saving exercise. It explains how the concept of prestige shapes Asian diplomacy.
- Very Truly Yours: New Cycle on the Come on Whales, by Harry Honda, page 8. Honda uses the upcoming Moby Dick film as a jumping-off point to discuss whale lore, the Jonah story, and whaling history. He connects American whalers to the opening of Japan.
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